§ MR. ANDERSONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, seeing the success of the new proposal for making the Irish Church Fund bear the whole liability under the Land Arrears Bill depends so entirely on the unpaid income, not exceeding the five per cent estimated, he has good reason to suppose that the impoverishment of landlords, and other causes, are not likely to affect the income more seriously in the future than they have done even in the worst year of the three last?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GLADSTONE)Sir, I venture to say to my hon. Friend, in answer to this Question, that we have very carefully considered, as well as the nature of the subject admits, this question of a possible deduction in defection in the revenue of the Church Surplus Fund. We have gone into it in a spirit to endeavour not to mislead the House on a dangerous side. We entertain very great confidence that, the law remaining as it now does, our calculations are reasonable and safe.